The deadline for trades in Major League Baseball is July 31. The Padres have just under a week to make some changes that could address their frustrating inability to hit with runners on base. Rather than dissecting the game in detail, let’s provide an irritating summary:
The Friars got 11 hits, at least one runner on base in eight different innings, and the leadoff hitter reached five times on Friday night in St. Louis. In a 3-0 loss that further constricted an already oppressive National League Wild Card picture, they failed to score a single run—an almost amazing display of offensive incompetence.
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The Cardinals, meanwhile, capitalized on their chances. They scored after Jake Cronenworth booted a ground ball from Nolan Arenado in the second inning. Without recording a hit, St. Louis took a 1-0 lead after a sacrifice and an RBI groundout. Pivetta labored with some wildness in the fourth inning, walking two runners. Masyn Wynn used a double to drive them both in. The Cardinals led 3-0 after their first hit of the game.
It was just that kind of night.
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Depending on what transpires later in the evening, San Diego still has the final NL Wild Card place, which St. Louis pulls 1.5 games out of. Randy Vasquez will start on the mound against lefty Matthew Liberatore on Saturday night, and the Padres will need to win the next two games in Missouri to salvage a split.
